A LL hope is not lost — that's the firm message from the

Journal

this week as the Government announces the new private contractor arrangements for air sea rescue helicopters and, at a stroke it appears, condemns the 24-hour service based at Chivenor to oblivion.

Because while it is easy to lose heart at such devastating news for the region, we remain convinced that a change in the political landscape may yet yield a victory for those who have backed our campaign to save the 24-hour service.

Once again this decision seems to demonstrate the complete inability of mandarins and ministers far away in London to understand the needs of this region and its unique geography, terrain and dispersed population.

Apologists for the decision to scrap the 24-hour service at Chivenor can trot out all the statistics they like to support this cut but it won't mask the sheer folly of what is being proposed.

It still looks as though it won't work in practice and the

Journal

has real fears that it will inevitably lead to loss of life.

But there is hope in the shape of the potential shift in the political landscape. Contracts for this new service are not due to be signed until later this year and therefore there is still an opportunity for a re-think by whichever party finds itself forming the next Government.

That's why the

Journal

refuses to give up on this issue and is urging our readers to continue to back our campaign. We will continue to lobby, we will continue to make people's voice heard and we will continue to state our case.

We remain optimistic that politicians who truly understand this region and its needs will eventually see sense and reverse the process by which this vital asset is removed from the region.